Level Three Projects

MS3307 New Media Thesis/Project and

MS3308 New Media Portfolio

1. Introduction to module aims and objectives

2. Introduction to assessment3. Week-by-week

Why?

• Part of recent changes made to the new media degrees

• General aims– To provide more time for level 3 project work– To make old MS3000 into two super modules– MS3307 and MS3308

MS3307• In this module students plan, develop and realise an appropriate,

independent research project under relevant subject-specialist supervision and through a process of drafting & revision, grounded in a thoroughgoing preparation in methods of study and conceptual formulation, as dictated by the scope and character of the research undertaken.

• Phew!

• To relate the research carried out in the dissertation to the subject-based practical skills acquired on the programme (MS3308).

• There is a weekly seminar which goes through the stages of the thesis and students present their completed research to an audience at the end of the module.

New Media Thesis/Project2011/12

Part One: Introduction to module aims, objectives and assessments

Today's Session

1. MS3307 – Why?

2. General aims and outcomes

3. Assessment in a nutshell (more details next week)

4. Q&A

Where?• MS 3307 – DISSERTATION - NEW MEDIA DOUBLE

PROJECT• MODULE LEADER: TONY SAMPSON•  • Thursday• Lecture• 9.00 – 11.00 • KD.1.30

Why?

• Role of the MS3307 Seminar is to relieve some of the stress of the final project…

• Provide a STRUCTURE

• Why do you need a structure?

• New Media Project = Independent Research

– Definition of own study– Self-directed learning– Research design – Research findings– New Skills

Student Feedback

• “Weekly seminars focusing on each part of the thesis – helpful.”

• “Weekly focus on different areas – helpful.”

• “Good lectures and access to information when stuck (Blog).”

• “Opportunity to present to level 2 – helped thoughts.”

• “Engaging, interesting task to complete.”

Student Feedback

• “Learnt a lot about something that interested me and gained a degree of specialization.”

• “Fun having opportunity to explore a topic of my own choosing.”

• The project occupies a third (two thirds with MS3308) of your time in the final year of your degree and carries one third of the marks for the year.

Demanding

• Your final project will be the most demanding piece of work you complete for your degree

• It will also count significantly towards your final degree classification.

Support

• A well-organised system of support, including research seminars and individual and small group supervision by specialist and core staff, will be established to help you to complete your project to the best of your ability.

Blog and Module Guide

• http://ms3000.blogspot.com/ (includes notes from MS3307 sessions and info for MS3308)

• Module Guide• http://homepages.uel.ac.uk/T.D.Sampson/DocLand/MS3000/MS3000.htm

More About Supervision• Following student presentations in

week 4 (Oct 18th)

• All students provided with 1st and 2nd supervisors

• Supervisors are also 1st and 2nd markers

• Students are encouraged to arrange a timetable of supervision with their supervisors

• At least 3 supervisory meetings per semester are mandatory

– Linked to assessment 1– Reduction in mark– Withdrawal

Feedback on Support• “Supervisors helped greatly

with practical/theory.”

• “Supervisors available when needed.”

• “Module leader also around if needed.”

• “Good access to supervisors

• “Quick feedback.”

• “Level of support given by supervisors.”

Feedback on Support

• “You only get out what you put in.”– A level 3 project

student, 2009/10

Main Aims of the Module

• To plan, develop and realise an appropriate, independent research project (thesis and project prototype)

Main Aims of the Module

• Work under relevant subject-specialist supervision and through a process of drafting & revision

Main Aims of the Module

• Thoroughgoing preparation in methods of study and conceptual formulation, as dictated by the scope and character of the research undertaken.

Main Topics of Study

• Independent review of an aspect of the field/subject discipline

• Keeping to conventions of scholarly writing and citation

• Application of theories & methods comprising the area of study

• Identifying a suitable object of inquiry and formulation of agreed project

Main Topics of Study

• Secondary and Primary sources

• Scrutiny of key texts and debates in subject area (literature review)

• Devising, researching and planning a production project through user centred research (method)

Dissertation• Working within a

framework and structure

1. Introduction

2. Literature Review

3. Method

4. Data Analysis

5. Interpretation of Data

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes for the Module

Knowledge

At the end of this Module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate consolidated command of conventions of scholarly writing and citation

• Demonstrate sufficient breadth of learning of specified area of subject knowledge, as required to complete an independent research thesis/project

• Plan, develop and produce a thesis/project competently

Learning Outcomes for the Module

Thinking skills

At the end of this Module, students should be able to:

• Frame a research topic

• Identify and apply appropriate research methodologies

• Demonstrate independence of mind allied to ‘depth’ understanding of field/subject

Learning Outcomes for the Module

Subject-based practical skills

At the end of this Module, students should be able to:

• Devise, research and plan a production project, to a stage relevant to the specific medium, which engages critically with existing genres/modes of production.

Learning Outcomes for the Module

Skills for life and work (general skills)

At the end of this Module, students should be able to:

• Construct and implement a realistic research timetable

• Write up the research undertaken, through critical reflection

• Evaluate critically their research approaches, techniques and methodologies

Assessment in a nutshell

New assessments introduced this year

Assessment in a nutshellAssessment One

• Thesis/Project Planning

• 20% overall, 2,000 words,

• Deadline: 10-Jan-13There are four components to this individual assessment

• (A) A summary of the thesis/project (20%)

• (B) Annotated bibliography (30%)

• (C) Rationale of chosen methodology (30%)

• (D) A brief reflection on supervision (20%)

Assessment in a nutshell

Assessment Two

• Thesis

• 80% overall (8000 words)

• Deadlines – first draft thesis in early April (to supervisors)

• Deadline 09-May-13

• More detail on assessments next week

• Any questions for now?

SEM A

WEEK Seminar

27-Sep-12Introduction to module 1 – aims, objectives and assessment1st two weeks to complete proposal – negotiating groups etc.

04-Oct-12 Introduction to module 2 – summarizing the thesis

11-Oct-12Example of student work from previous year – with examples of

dissertations, posters etc

18-Oct-12Week four student presentations – 3 minutes – elevator-type

pitch. MS3307 and MS3308

25-Oct-12Critical analysis and evaluation of literature - writing the

annotated bibliography – Supervision announced

31-Oct-12 READING AND WRITING WEEK

01-Nov-12Rationalizing and Designing Methodologies for New Media Research -

specify testing documentation, preliminary analysis.

08-Nov-12 Thesis/practice student presentations

15-Nov-12 Thesis/practice student presentations

22- Nov-12 Thesis/practice student presentations

29-Nov-12 Thesis/practice student presentations

06-Dec-12 Thesis/practice student presentations

13-Dec-12Free session to work on MS3307 and MS3308 assessments. Please

register with Mary Newman

STUD VACDeadline cw1: 10-Jan-12

8th Nov-6th Dec

• Thesis presentations– Covering

• (A) A summary of the thesis/project (20%)

• (B) Annotated bibliography (30%)

• (C) Rationale of chosen methodology (30%)

• (D) A brief reflection on supervision (20%)

Deadline cw1: 10-Jan-12• (A) A summary of the thesis/project (20%)

• (B) Annotated bibliography (30%)

• (C) Rationale of chosen methodology (30%)

• (D) A brief reflection on supervision (20%)

SEM B

07-Feb-13Module aims and objectives (recap) – including session on preparing

for the student show

14-Feb-13 Thesis structure - Overview

21-Feb-13Thesis structure - Literature review – purpose, approaches,

structuring, examples

28-Feb-13 Thesis structure – Methodology

07-Mar-13 Thesis structure - Data analysis-Interpretation of data

14-Mar-13 Thesis structure - Introduction and conclusion – auto-edit session

21-Mar-13Session on preparation for student show (posters, displays, demos,

branding etc

28-Mar-13 Student Vacation

04-Apr-13 Student Vacation

11-Apr-13 Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group One) on Tues EB. G: 10 - 4.30-6pm

18-Apr-13 Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group Two) on Tues EB. G: 10 - 4.30-6pm

25-Apr-13Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group Three) on Tues EB. G: 10 - 4.30-

6pm

02-May-13 Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group Four) on Tues EB. G: 10 - 4.30-6pm

09-May-13 Deadline CW2 Thesis

16 and 17-May-13 Thesis Talks and The Student Show (note update)

Sem B

• Thesis (cw1) Deadline 09-May-13

• Thesis Talks – Thursday 16-May-13

• The Student Show - Friday 17-May-13 Assessment of MS3308 in relation to MS3307 Thesis

Q&A

• Level 3 student reps?• CV portfolios for design/UXD potential job

offer• Social events this year

• MS 3308 – NEW MEDIA PORTFOLIO• MODULE LEADER: TONY SAMPSON• Thursday Workshop 11.00 – 5.00

AVA.1.28